Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for the quality assurance (QA) review system under the Accountants Act 2013 and the Accountants (Practice) Regulations 2019. The regulations require the Quality Assurance Board to monitor each practicing accountant at least every three years for compliance with professional quality assurance standards, including the adequacy of the firm’s quality control system and adherence to applicable standards.

ICPAU continues to operate a mandatory QA review system for registered accounting firms and publishes guidance for practitioners on the audit quality review process. The fifth cycle of QA reviews commenced in April 2022, and ICPAU’s 2024 Annual Report indicates that the sixth cycle commenced in 2024, alongside continued licensing and monitoring of firms and practicing accountants.

ICPAU supports implementation through training, technical guidance, and practical resources for firms, including a quality management toolkit for small and medium-sized practices and related quality management risk matrix aligned with International Standard on Quality Management 1 and International Standard on Quality Management 2. ICPAU also provides public guidance on audit quality reviews and maintains technical resources for members.

ICPAU has continued to update its quality assurance methodology and support firms in implementing quality management standards and regulatory requirements, including anti-money laundering compliance and sector-specific expectations. Its ongoing QA review cycle, remediation processes, reviewer training, and member support activities demonstrate sustained fulfillment of SMO 1.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for establishing initial professional development and continuing professional development requirements under the Accountants Act 2013 and the Accountants Regulations 2016. ICPAU administers the Certified Public Accountants of Uganda, Accounting Technicians Diploma, and Certified Tax Advisor qualifications through the Public Accountants Examinations Board, with syllabi and curricula subject to approval by the National Council for Higher Education.

ICPAU continues to maintain and promote the Uganda Accountancy Qualifications Framework, which supports structured progression across accountancy qualifications and links education, practical experience, and competence requirements. It also maintains recognized tuition providers, examination centers across Uganda, study materials, sample papers, and online student services to support access to professional education. ICPAU’s December 2024 examinations were conducted across seven examination centers for the CPA, ATD, and CTA qualifications, reflecting continued efforts to expand access beyond Kampala.

Practical experience training remains a requirement for membership. ICPAU provides guidance and an online process for documenting practical experience, and the Accountants Regulations 2016 require a minimum of three years of practical training. ICPAU also continues to monitor continuing professional development compliance, supported by annual continuing professional development calendars, webinars, seminars, and online member reporting.

ICPAU’s ongoing review of qualifications, practical training, continuing professional development, and competency-based requirements demonstrates sustained fulfillment of SMO 2.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for the adoption and implementation support of auditing standards in Uganda. ICPAU has adopted International Standards on Auditing (ISA) as issued by the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board for application in all statutory audits without modification, including the effective dates.

ICPAU supports implementation through continuing professional development, technical guidance, quality assurance reviews, and resources for practitioners. Recent support has focused on quality management standards, including International Standard on Quality Management 1, International Standard on Quality Management 2, and ISA 220 (Revised). ICPAU has provided seminars, webinars, and practical tools, including a quality management toolkit and risk matrix for small and medium-sized practices.

ICPAU also maintains technical resources and public guidance on audit quality reviews, which assess compliance with ISQM 1, ISQM 2, ISA 220, and the professional code of ethics. Its 2026 continuing professional development calendar includes further training on quality management and related audit practice matters.

ICPAU continues to circulate standard-setting updates and participate in implementation support for new and revised IAASB pronouncements. Its adoption process, member support activities, quality assurance linkages, and ongoing training demonstrate sustained fulfillment of SMO 3.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for establishing ethical requirements for professional accountants under the Accountants Act 2013. ICPAU requires members to comply with the International Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants, including International Independence Standards, issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants, which it has adopted as the ICPAU Code of Ethics.

ICPAU maintains an ongoing process to adopt updates to the Code and supports implementation through continuing professional development, technical guidance, and integration of ethical requirements into its qualification programs and examination syllabi. The institute provides training, seminars, and awareness initiatives on ethics and independence, and reinforces compliance through its quality assurance reviews and investigation and disciplinary processes.

ICPAU also makes the Code of Ethics publicly available and promotes awareness through its technical resources and member communications. Its continued adoption of updated ethical standards, integration into education and training, and monitoring of compliance demonstrate sustained fulfillment of SMO 4.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has shared responsibility for public sector accounting standards under the Accountants Act 2013 and the Public Finance Management Act 2015, alongside the Accountant General. While International Public Sector Accounting Standards are reported as adopted, the Government of Uganda continues to apply a modified accrual basis of accounting and is implementing a transition toward full accrual.

ICPAU supports implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards through capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and technical guidance. It continues to participate in the Public Sector Accountancy Working Group chaired by the Accountant General and contributes to the national roadmap for accrual implementation, including reforms to the legal framework, systems, and human resource capacity. ICPAU also supports implementation through annual public sector conferences, including its Financial Reporting Awards, which promote good practices and include a public sector reporting category.

ICPAU provides ongoing training and continuing professional development for public sector accountants, integrates public sector content into its qualification programs, and raises awareness of International Public Sector Accounting Standards through publications, technical resources, and dissemination of exposure drafts and consultation papers. Its activities remain focused on building professional competence and supporting implementation across the public sector.

ICPAU’s continued engagement in national reform initiatives, training programs, and awareness-raising activities demonstrates sustained fulfillment SMO 5.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for investigation and discipline under the Accountants Act 2013. The Act establishes a Disciplinary Committee to hear complaints of professional misconduct and a Disciplinary Appeals Committee to hear appeals, with further appeal available to the High Court.

ICPAU maintains public guidance on its investigation and disciplinary process, including the types of misconduct, complaint procedures, sanctions, and appeal rights. Its procedures provide for complaints by the public and by the Council, and quality assurance review outcomes may be referred to the Disciplinary Committee where appropriate.

ICPAU continues to strengthen its I&D processes, including measures to support timely disposal of complaints, member awareness, and enforcement of professional and ethical requirements. Its 2024 annual reporting identifies continued strengthening of the investigation and disciplinary process as an ongoing institutional priority.

ICPAU’s established legal mandate, operational disciplinary and appeals structures, public guidance, and continued process improvements demonstrate sustained fulfillment of SMO 6.

Current Status: Sustain

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Uganda (ICPAU) has direct responsibility for adopting private sector accounting standards under the Accountants Act 2013. ICPAU has adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board without modification, including the effective dates, and supports implementation through continuing professional development, technical resources, and member communications.

ICPAU continues to provide implementation support on new and revised standards, including guidance on IFRS 17 and technical resources on IFRS 16 and IFRS for Small and Medium-sized Entities. ICPAU also promotes high-quality reporting through the annual Financial Reporting Awards, which encourage application of global reporting standards and transparency in corporate reporting.

In 2024, ICPAU approved the adoption of IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards for use in Uganda and has issued a roadmap to support phased implementation. This development expands ICPAU’s support under Statement of Membership Obligations 7 to include standards issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board.

ICPAU’s ongoing adoption of IFRS, implementation guidance, training, stakeholder engagement, and recent sustainability reporting roadmap demonstrate sustained fulfillment of SMO 7.

Current Status: Sustain